0.0000001% Demon King - 0DK Chapter 19: Hidden Malice (2) (Part 2)

“It’s almost harvest time. We’re short on hands. If we’re not careful, we might starve this winter.”

“My father returned crippled! Aaah!”

Normally, their anger would be directed at the goblins. But this incident was clearly the result of the lord’s stubbornness. People cursed the lord, and resentment festered within.

“Did you hear? The lord insulted those who returned injured. Said they were useless since they didn’t find any evidence.”

“Sigh. What will become of us?”

Rumors added fuel to the fire, and after about a week, the atmosphere in the domain couldn’t get any worse. But no matter how angry they were, the lord was still the lord. If they rebelled and drove him out, the imperial forces would kill them. They had no choice but to suppress their anger.

However, the lord could feel the mounting atmosphere. Eventually, he called for help from the empire.

**** ****

“There was nothing.”

A knight with an elegantly groomed mustache spoke. The lord, startled, asked back.

“Nothing?”

“Yes. Following your claims, we headed to the forest. What a waste. My precious armor is ruined.”

The knight grumbled, playing with his mustache. But the forest was empty.

“Ogres leave as big a trace as they are. But we found nothing. Only goblin tracks remained.”

“But the roars were heard…”

“Those roars didn’t directly harm anyone, did they?”

The knight said with an annoyed face. He was in a generally displeased mood. A noble knight enjoying a pleasant life in the capital is now dragged to this rural domain for such a trivial matter. The knight spoke bluntly.

“Maybe it’s just the ogre’s sleeping habits. It’s still hibernation season, after all. Anyway, there’s nothing we can do.”

“But people were injured!”

“That’s because you entered goblin territory.”

The knight’s blunt words made the lord flinch. It had been his own command.

“Goblins don’t attack humans if their territory isn’t invaded. Unless there’s a Demon King involved, but this time it was clearly your attack. And now you’re upset because you were counterattacked? Calling us for such a matter is shameless.”

The knight sneered and stood up.

“If this happens again, be prepared for punishment. I’m leaving.”

The knight wanted to return as soon as possible. Staying in this rural domain for a moment longer was hell for him.

“But what about the ogre…”

“Are you insane?”

The lord’s desperate words made the knight turn around and glare at him with a murderous look. The lord gulped.

“The empire doesn’t have the resources for such things right now.”

Ogres are mythical monsters. A whole knight order might barely manage to defeat one, and even then, they’d likely be near annihilation.

With the current situation, wasting resources here would endanger the front lines. The knight said harshly.

“If an ogre truly threatens the village, call us then. We’ll deal with it.”

If that truly happened, the domain would likely fall before help could arrive, but that was not the knight’s concern. From the empire’s perspective, a few rural domains falling apart was inconsequential.

The knight left. The lord stared blankly at the closed door before collapsing. An advisor rushed in to catch him.

“Lord! Are you alright?”

“…Call the soldiers.”

“What?”

The lord gritted his teeth. Salvation wouldn’t come. He might actually die. Terrified by this realization, the lord issued a command filled with malice.

“Summon all the guards! Have them protect the lord’s castle!”

**** ****

Clank.

Chains rattled. Irina stared blankly at the ceiling as heavy footsteps approached.

“…Things are chaotic above.”

Even though she was underground, she could tell what was happening outside. All she had to do was ask the soldiers who brought her meals. The commotion was significant.

And the cause of this turmoil was related to her.

“Demon King.”

“Isn’t it amusing?”

As if waiting, a voice responded. The darkness split, and the Demon King, with black hair and eyes, walked through.

“I did nothing. I merely introduced periodic changes. The one who caused all this is entirely your brother, the lord.”

Biting her lips at the Demon King’s words, Irina knew it was true. People were hurt, and driven to desperate choices, all because of her brother.

If she had been in charge, none of this would have happened. Once again, her foolish brother had caused trouble.

‘Why is such a man the lord…!’

She shook her head fiercely. Why, just because she was a woman, she couldn’t be the lord, and yet her brother could!

The Demon King murmured as if he truly enjoyed the spectacle.

“They incite their own disputes and head towards self-destruction. If only the world were full of such people, it would be much more amusing. Unfortunately, that’s not the case.”

“…”

Irina remained silent, bowing her head. The Demon King, as if guessing her thoughts, whispered with a smile.

“Don’t you think he’s unfit?”

Irina lifted her head. Her eyes flickered towards the Demon King.

“He fails to fulfill his duties as a lord. He’s merely sitting in that position by birthright, not as its rightful owner. Then, who should rightfully sit there?”

Irina bit her lip. The Demon King’s words were too sweet, melting her brain and devouring her thoughts.

“It won’t take long. The day when the rightful owner claims their place.”

The Demon King left. Irina forcefully pulled at her wrist. The chains that bound her wrists felt more cumbersome than ever before.

Hyung_Otaku

I'm currently Translating the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!

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